OUTSOURCING could be the way forward for Anglesey Council’s leisure facilities.
The council’s education and leisure scrutiny committee rejected proposals to close a swimming pool on the Island, but Anglesey Council must make £11 million of savings over the next three years.
A number of councillors opposed a proposal in the council’s 2012-13 draft budget to close one of the Island’s pools.
Committee chairman Derlwyn Rees Hughes suggested targeting opening hours and days to when facilities are used most.
However, campaigners who fought to keep all of the Island’s pools open in 2009 are uncertain about bringing in companies or groups to run leisure centres.
Andrew Wright, of Amlwch, said: “I wouldn’t want to speculate about other pools, but as far as Amlwch, we just don’t think it would be feasible in the current financial climate, and because of the rural nature of the area where we live.”
Rhosgoch resident Tricia Gresty takes her son Shaun, 32, to Llangefni and Amlwch leisure centres, and was unsure about outsourcing a pool.
She said: “I’d rather the council keep hold of it, because when you start going private, you start worrying what the fees are going to be and you don’t know what changes are going to be made.”
Councillors also heard from Commissioner Gareth Jones that education cuts would come from central services and not from schools.
The public consultation on Anglesey Council's draft 2012-13 ends on Thursday, February 16.
Anglesey Council's commissioners will receive the results by February 20, and the budget will be prepared for the fullcouncil meeting on March 6.
To download a copy of the draft budget, visit /www.anglesey.gov.uk.
Sending comments to budgetconsultation@anglesey.gov.uk.
Alternatively, send feedback to Consultation on 2012-13 Budget, Isle of Anglesey County Council, Council Offices, Llangefni. LL77 7TW.
HAVE YOUR SAY - What is the way forward for Anglesey's education and leisure services?
Post a comment below or contacts reporter Geraint Jones on geraint.jones@nwn.co.uk.